Finding Meaning in Adversity

207 Pages·2004·9.19 MB·English

by  Nancy E. Johnston

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FINDING MEANING IN ADVERSITY

FINDING MEANING IN ADVERSITY
By
NANCY E. JOHNSTON, RN. MHSc.
A Dissertation
Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
(Nursing)
McMaster University
@Copydght by Nancy Johnston, September 2002.
n
To Bob
m
Doctor of Philosophy (2002) McMaster University
(Nursing) Hamilton, Ontario
TITLE: Finding Meaning in Adversity
AUTHOR: Nancy E. Johnston RN. MHSc. (McMaster University)
SUPERVISOR: Dr. Regina Browne
NUMBER OF PAGES: xv, 183.
IV
ABSTRACT
FINDING MEANING IN ADVERSITY
Nancy E. Johnston
Experiencing hardship, suffering and loss and finding a way to learn from one's
experiences rather than being overtaken, diminished and embittered by them, constitutes
an inevitable human challenge. Yet surprisingly, little has been written about the
structure of the experience of adversity. Equally astounding is the fact that although
there is considerable knowledge about the personality traits and behavioral patterns of
people who are resilient in adversity, little is known about how people actually construct
meaning in such a situation. Part of the reason for this missing knowledge may be the
prevailing dominance of quantitative methods in health research. Although these
methods are useful for revealing factors associated with positive patterns of adaptation
they are less adequate in revealing both the structure of human experience as wen as the
practices that humans engage in to make sense of their world.
By describing and analyzing the shared lived experiences of twenty ~five people
who have lived through a situation of adversity, as wen as the practices they engaged in
to recover meaning, and the meanings they gave to their experience, this hermeneutical
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phenomenological study uncovers new knowledge related to the structure of adversity.
In doing so knowledge is gained about how personal coherence can be preserved under
extreme conditions. In particular, the study unfolds the structure of adversity in terms of
three key themes -turning, dwelling and caning. In addition, the practices that people
engage in as ways of dwelling amidst adversity are discussed. Ways of dwelling are thus
compared and contrasted to reveal those that call forth, or alternatively conceal, authentic
possibilities in life. In order to clarify the existential and ontological challenges at stake
in situations of adversity, the philosophical frameworks ofKierkegaard, Heidegger,
Marcel and Gadamer are brought into a converging dialogue with the stories and
conversations gathered for this study. Inferences for health professionals in general, and
nurses in particular are drawn. These inferences are offered in consideration of the
professional commitment to care for people during times when meaning breaks down and
when the presence or absence of human solicitude and caring has far reaching
implications.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My journey in becoming a scholar has not been alone.
My committee, Dr. Gina Browne, Dr. G.B. Madison, Dr. Catherine Tompkins and
Professor Jackie Roberts have offered me their encouragement, insights and guidance as I
have worked to complete this dissertation.
Special gratitude goes to my advisor and chairperson Dr. Gina Browne. Her patience and
her steadfastness in encouraging the pursuit of my deepest passion in research, despite the
effort already exerted in another scientific paradigm, were well beyond the call of duty.
Her encyclopedic knowledge of stress and coping and her willingness to share practical
insights gained from her own clinical practice have enriched and challenged my thinking
tremendously.
Deep appreciation is extended to Dr. G. B. Madison, who opened, and keeps opening
doors to new realms of understanding. He has enlarged my world, anchored my
experience and liberated my thinking. His wholehearted support and encouragement
along the way have been an amazing and propitious gift.
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